And Everyone Loves Each Other Again

Well we can now take the barbed wire down and get back to the good old days when Blues fans and Villa fans shared a pint, gave each other gifts and generally had a good old time together after the two clubs reached an agreement for Alex McLeish`s compensation.

McLeish resigned as Blues boss after three-and-a-half-years at St Andrew's last month, following Birmingham's relegation from the Premier League, but no sooner had he put the pen down, he was talking of joining Villa and after much fuss, he eventually did.

Blues wanted compo for the two years he had left on his contract at St Andrews and were willing to take legal action against the neighbours. No win no fee and everything.

But now a joint statement issued on behalf of both clubs said: 'Birmingham City and Aston Villa can confirm that agreement has been reached between the parties ending the legal disputes surrounding Alex McLeish's departure.

'Aston Villa has agreed to pay Birmingham City an undisclosed figure following negotiations whereby the parties have agreed to bring to an end all disputes, including the further recruitment of Peter Grant and Dr Ian McGuinness by Aston Villa.'